When the first trailers for Stan Lee: The Final Chapter were released in 2024, they gave the impression that the documentary would be a sensationalized hit piece centered on controversy. 
After watching the finished film, that expectation quickly fades. Rather than chasing shock value, director Jon Bolerjack presents a heartbreaking and deeply personal account of Stan Lee’s final years through the eyes of someone who was there almost every day.
Bolerjack is uniquely qualified to tell this story. Before meeting Stan Lee, he had already worked in the comic book industry. He later became Lee’s assistant, driver, and confidant during the final four years of Lee’s life. With Lee’s blessing, Bolerjack documented what it was like being part of his inner circle, creating an extraordinary collection of footage that serves as the foundation of the documentary. The film also features perspectives from people such as Dave Rodgers, Jerry Blank, and Alex Bajamas, who worked alongside Lee at convention appearances by handling sales, assisting with signings, and making sure he could get through demanding schedules. One surprising revelation is that Bolerjack was the person who introduced Stan Lee to Chadwick Boseman, which adds another memorable chapter to Lee’s later years.
Much of the documentary consists of behind-the-scenes footage from comic conventions around the world. Fans see Stan Lee smiling for photos, signing autographs, and interacting with people who admired him. At first glance, these moments appear joyful. As the documentary continues, however, the audience begins to see the physical and emotional toll these appearances were taking on Lee.
One of the documentary’s central antagonists is Max Anderson, who oversaw the financial side of Stan Lee’s convention appearances. Anderson openly boasts about possessing one of Lee’s original portfolios, claiming it could be worth more than $200,000 and joking about how it could pay for his daughter’s college education. Throughout the film, Bolerjack and several members of Lee’s circle describe Anderson as controlling, secretive, and overly focused on maximizing profits. They allege that he was never fully transparent about convention earnings and suggest he kept a significant portion of the proceeds for himself.
The documentary also raises concerns about Anderson’s behavior outside of business. It recounts an incident where he brought Stan Lee to an outdoor shooting range and includes stories that paint an unsettling picture of his personality. While viewers will ultimately draw their own conclusions, the film presents Anderson as someone whose priorities consistently placed financial gain ahead of Lee’s health and wellbeing.
One of the film’s most emotional threads is Stan Lee’s desire to simply be at home with his wife. Throughout the archival footage, Lee repeatedly expresses that he would rather spend time at home than continue traveling from convention to convention. Despite this, lucrative deals continued to be arranged. One especially staggering example involved planned appearances in Australia and England, where Lee was expected to sign thousands of items in advance for an estimated $500,000 payday.
The documentary also explores Anderson’s relationship with his twin brother, Martin Anderson. Martin alleges that Max stole his identity, resulting in numerous fraud warrants issued in Martin’s name. He also claims forged signatures of Stan Lee and artist Alex Ross were produced by someone who had been trained to imitate both signatures. These allegations lead into a broader discussion about ownership within the comic book industry and how creators have often struggled to maintain control over their own work, drawing comparisons to similar issues that have long existed in the music business.
The emotional turning point of the documentary comes after the death of Stan Lee’s wife, Joan. Her passing had a visible impact on Lee’s mental and physical health. By 2017, it becomes increasingly clear through the footage that he no longer had the energy or desire to continue making public appearances. Even so, convention schedules became even more demanding as the Marvel Cinematic Universe reached unprecedented popularity. Long autograph lines grew even longer, collectors became increasingly concerned about Lee’s condition, and there seemed to be little opportunity for him to grieve. The documentary argues that Stan Lee’s public image had become a business that many people were unwilling to slow down.
Some of the most difficult scenes to watch show Lee visibly exhausted during convention photo sessions. There are moments where he appears to drift asleep while fans continue lining up for photographs. Rather than exploiting these scenes, the documentary allows them to speak for themselves. They become powerful reminders that behind one of popular culture’s biggest icons was an elderly man whose health was steadily declining.
Eventually, Max Anderson is replaced by another controversial figure, Keya Morgan. If viewers believe Lee’s situation could not become any worse, the documentary argues otherwise. Bolerjack explains that he attempted to alert authorities by sharing his footage with TMZ, law enforcement, and other media outlets, yet his warnings largely went unanswered. Investigative journalists later examine the elder abuse allegations surrounding Lee’s final years, including claims that Morgan wanted Lee’s bodyguard to forge signatures. The documentary also features testimony from Stan Lee’s nurse, who shares her growing concerns about his well being during his final years. Her account is contrasted with that of Lee’s caretaker, whose admiration for him often blurred the line between being a devoted fan and serving as a responsible caregiver. Stan Lee: The Final Chapter concludes with heartfelt reflections from nearly everyone who was part of Lee’s inner circle, excluding Max Anderson and Keya Morgan, as they recall where they were and how they learned of Stan Lee’s passing. One of the documentary’s most touching moments comes in its closing scene, when Jon Bolerjack asks Lee if he would ever consider making a documentary about his life. Knowing what unfolds afterward gives the exchange an emotional weight that lingers long after the credits roll.
Stan Lee: The Final Chapter is difficult to watch because it presents a side of one of entertainment’s most beloved figures that many fans never saw. Rather than celebrating the legend, it asks difficult questions about fame, exploitation, aging, and the responsibility of those entrusted with caring for cultural icons. The documentary does not feel like an attack on Stan Lee or an attempt to rewrite his legacy. Instead, it serves as an examination of the people who surrounded him during his most vulnerable years and the consequences of placing profit ahead of compassion.
Despite the heavy subject matter, this is an excellent documentary and one that deserves to be seen. The marketing in 2024 suggested audiences were getting a scandal driven exposé, but the finished film is far more thoughtful and emotionally affecting than those early trailers implied. It provides valuable context, compelling firsthand footage, and an honest look at Stan Lee’s final chapter. Whether you are a lifelong Marvel fan or simply interested in stories about the human side of fame, this documentary is well worth watching.
